Defence of Japan 2020: Major Highlights of the Annual White Paper

Japan’s Surrounding Security Environment

Japan is worried for its surrounding security environment as China has been aggressively moving in using armed forces, air force and navy. It also has been constantly testing Japan’s patience by threatening it. North Korea is a nuclear state and it threatens Japan time and again, as Japan is a non-nuclear state and aims for peace. Japan’s relations with South Korea have also been uncertain, especially when it comes to trade relations. The U.S. has Japan under its security umbrella, but Trump Administration has been pushing Japan to defend itself by going nuclear and has also been asking Japan to contribute more towards the U.S. forces and economy. Therefore, all this has made Japan worried and sceptical of its surrounding environment, and these concerns have been written in the Defence of Japan 2020[i]. The following section would highlight the issues that Japan faces in this domain.

First, Japan has been worried that military powers surrounding it have concentrated themselves well through military build-up and have increased their military activities with high quality and quantity. This could be a direct pointer at China and North Korea who are major causes of concern for Japan.

Second, a regional cooperation framework needs to be institutionalised sufficiently in the realm of security for the region of Indo-Pacific, as many longstanding issues of territorial rights and reunification issues prevail. This is a direct signal at the islands issue of Senkaku Islands, Kuril Islands, and also the Korea unification issue.

Third, Gray zones are issues as they are associated with territories, sovereignty and economic interests, and in recent years, the tendency of prolongation towards these gray zones has been expanded and there are chances for this to continue in the future as well. Japan’s Defence White Paper quotes that “the United States recognizes strategic competition with revisionist powers, namely China and Russia, as the central challenge to U.S. security. America has ranked Beijing as top of its list of priorities and places the greatest emphasis on the security of the Indo-Pacific region to strengthen deterrence against China”. This justifies the U.S. involvement in the Indo-Pacific and it also justifies how Japan, the pioneer of the ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision’ are extremely worried about Chinese expansionist ways in these gray zones.

Fourth, North Korea, an immediate neighbour of Japan having nuclear capabilities, has been classified as a ‘rogue regimes’ by the U.S. as it is not only a threat to Japan who is a non-nuclear state, but also the U.S. with missiles when sanctions are up on them. There have been several efforts to denuclearize North Korea. President Trump has also met North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un during the U.S.-North Korea Summit held in June 2018 and later, the second U.S.-North Korea summit held in February 2019 which ended without any agreement. In December 2019, the Plenary Meeting of the Central Committee of the KWP, Chairman Kim announced that they have an intention of further developing strategic weapons until and unless the U.S. rolls back its hostile policy against North Korea. So, the U.S maintains its strong military readiness in South Korea, as North Korea can’t be trusted, and the security of South Korea as an alliance partner is the responsibility of the U.S. North Korea has conducted six nuclear tests, along with having miniaturized nuclear weapons to fit the ballistic missile warheads. This year, North Korea on several occasions has launched ballistic missiles and promoted the development of weapons of mass destruction. These military trends, especially, pose a grave danger to Japan’s security. From 2018 to the end of March 2020, the SDF observed 24 cases of seaborne rendezvous by ship-to-ship transfer of the North Korea vessels. Countries like the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and France carried out early warning surveillance activities with aircraft using the U.S. Kadena Air Base in Japan. Also, the naval vessels of the U.S. Navy, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and France carried out enforcement of United Nations Security Council sanctions imposed against North Korea in sea areas surrounding Japan. These are ways through which Japan tries to protect itself with its partners from North Korea’s ballistic missiles threat.

Fifth, Russia has been modernizing their military equipment, working on strategic nuclear forces and military activities. Russia has also been developing fifth generation fighters, heavy unmanned combat aerial vehicles, space and electromagnetic spectrum. Russia has advanced its military cooperation in China, and in June 2019, two Tu-95 long-range bombers flew around Japan, and intruded into Japan’s territorial airspace twice when they flew northward over the Pacific Ocean. In July, one Russian A-50 early warning and control aircraft intruded into Japan’s airspace above the territorial waters of Takeshima Island. In July 2019, two Russian Tu-95 long-range bombers carried out a joint air patrol with two Chinese H-6 bombers, from the Sea of Japan to the East China Sea. Russian Minister of Defence Shoigu and Vice Chairman of the Chinese Central Military Commission Zhang signed a package of documents on military and military-technical cooperation in September 2019. In October 2019, the Eastern Military District announced drills to repel landings by a hypothetical enemy assault force were to be held in the Sakhalin and Primorsky regions, involving up to 8,000 personnel, more than 3,000 units of tanks and military equipment, and up to 50 planes and helicopters. In February 2020, two Su-34 fighter-bombers deployed to the Far East were observed for the first time. Therefore, these military developments are serious for Japan and have been highlighted in the Defence White Paper.

Sixth, the Middle East is a major source of energy supply for Japan, as it imports 90 per cent of crude oil. Thus, peace and prosperity in this region is extremely vital. The issue between the U.S. and Iran has been of major conflict, as in May 2019, the U.S. increased its troops and multiple attacks on the military bases in Iraq which triggered retaliation. Also, as navigation safety of civilian vessels were affected, the U.S. along with the European nations promoted efforts to safeguard maritime security. The U.S. advocated the Maritime Security Initiative and established the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) with seven countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain, participate, in addition to the United States. European-led maritime surveillance mission in the Strait of Hormuz (EMASOH) was created by eight European countries. Iran also presented a plan HOPE(Hormuz Peace Endeavour), an independent effort to maintain maritime security and in addition, Iran conducted the Maritime Safety Belt, the first trilateral military exercise with Chinese and Russian navies in the Gulf of Oman and other areas. All this is a major cause for Japan as it is in a Security Alliance with the U.S., and with the U.S. having issues with Iran, Russia and China is paving a way for an anti-America front which would also affect Japan, as Japan already has territorial issues with China and Russia, and might possibly make things worse for Japan. Japan, to protect its interests, took up an independent initiative where the Cabinet decided to dispatch MADF vessels for the purpose of gathering information and to utilize the existing counter-piracy unit. Recently, on January 11, 2020, two P-3C (fixed-wing patrol aircraft) left Japan to replace the counter-piracy unit and began information gathering activities on the 20^th. This was followed by the Destroyer JS “Takanami”, which left port on February 2 and began information gathering activities in the field on February 26 and finally, on May 10, 2020, Destroyer JS “Kirisame” left Japan to replace “Takanami.”

Seventh, Japan is extremely worried about the activities which take place in the surrounding Sea area and Airspace of Japan, as China has been unilaterally making several attempts to change the status quo by coercion in the sea area around the Senkaku Islands. Recently, in July 2020, A Chinese vessel was in the Japanese waters for 39 hours, close to the Senkaku Islands, and this is a grave matter of concern for Japan. Japan has been extremely vocal about China trying to change the status quo and has even supported India when China tried to change the status quo during the Doklam issue. This time too, Japan has spoken up against China’s involvement in India’s Ladakh region. It is important to understand that Japan realises that it must speak up and not wait for the U.S. to always take decisions for them. The Chinese Navy and Air Force has recently expanded and intensified its activities in the surrounding seas and airspace of Japan, and it is clear that the Chinese have always been involved in these one-sided escalations. Also, China has been aiming to build up capabilities for operations in more distant waters and airspace and have involved the armed forces in the second island chain. China has been training its air force and maritime force to create havoc in the Pacific as well as in the Sea of Japan. In the South China Sea, China has been militarising, expanding and intensifying their activities in the maritime and aerial domain, all through unilateral attempts made to change the status quo by coercion. China has been steadily increasing its capabilities by conducting operations in distant seas like the Indian Ocean, which is a major cause of concern for India and Japan. Japan has been helping and supporting India in the Indian Ocean. Recently, on 27 June 2020, a joint naval exercise was held between India and Japan in the Indian Ocean. China has been promoting the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and has started port infrastructure construction in the Indian Ocean Countries like Sri Lanka and Maldives, and also in Pacific Island Countries like Fiji. China has been securing bases which they are making for military purposes. Chinese military has been hiding its true intentions behind the shield of counter-piracy activities and improvement of counter-terrorism capabilities in coastal states through joint exercises.

Therefore, this section clearly defined the immediate issues that Japan faces and Chinese aggression is one of the strongest issues as it creates multiple conflicts especially in the maritime domain and it is a grave matter for Japan as it is a maritime country and an island country, and the sea routes and sea lines of communications are extremely important for their survival.

Multiple Trends in new domains and relevant challenges

The world is moving extremely fast, and several innovations are taking place in new domains with relevant challenges. The Defence White Paper also highlighted some of the sectors which need to be seen with a keen eye.

First, Military Science and Technology is expected to change and grow, as the civilian technologies are growing and giving the military technology a run for their money. Also, Artificial Intelligence has been playing a major role in the military field which includes the application for autonomous unmanned vehicles, the cyber domain and improvement in data processing capacity. Also, since China and Russia have been developing advanced hypersonic weapons to challenge the existing missile defence system. High power energy weapons are being developed like the electromagnetic railguns, high-power laser weapons and high-power microwaves are aimed to counter airborne threats.

Second, Space Domain is aimed to enhance the capabilities of the various satellites with a purpose to launch C4ISR (command, control, communication, computer, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) functions. The outer space promotes peace and security but China and Russia have been enhancing capabilities to impede the United States and its allies from using outer space. There is a restructuring of the space-related organisations with their forces.

Third, in the Cyber Domain many cyber-attacks are recognised as an asymmetrical means to impede the military activities at a lower cost and so many foreign military forces have been developing offensive capabilities in the cyberspace. The recent example has been Chinese cyber-attacks on social media accounts by China. It has also been pointed out in the Defence Paper that China and Russia have been bolstering these offensive cyber capabilities for their military purposes and destroying and controlling foreign countries infrastructure and also business corporations and academic organizations in various countries. Attacks attempting to steal critical technologies, secrets or personal information have also been confirmed.

Fourth, Electromagnetic Domain has access to communication equipment and radar systems, which can affect the military performance and enhance electronic warfare capabilities. China regularly conducts force-on-force exercises to improve practical capabilities. Russia to is believed to be using various electronic warfare systems in eastern Ukraine and Syria to interrupt adversaries’ command and control traffic and radar systems and improve electronic warfare capabilities.

Fifth, COVID-19 and China pose sanitary problems, impact on the society and economy along with supply chains leading to economic sluggishness worldwide. Military training or bilateral/multilateral exercises have been suspended or postponed, and that has impacted and restricted military activities and the long term goals of military capability. Medical Diplomacy is doing well but Chinese propaganda of spreading disinformation has led to social uncertainties and confusion due to the spread of infection. This infection can also expose and intensify strategic competition among the other countries influencing the global and regional orders especially in the realm of security issues.

These above mentioned new methods and ways are challenges that the world would be facing in the nearest future, and Japan has been able to highlight these as well making the world understand what is yet to come and what is going on.

Japan’s Basic Defence and Security Policy

First, according to the national defence objectives, Japan wants to create a steady-state basis which would help Japan integrate and strengthen its position, deter threats and minimise damage. The major objectives of their national defence objectives consist of their own architecture for national defence, the U.S.-Japan Alliance and international security cooperation.

Second, in December 2013, the NSS was developed with their fundamental principle as national security aiming to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the international community especially in the Asia-Pacific region with the perspective towards ‘Proactive Contribution to Peace’. Also In 2018 NDPG layout was to focus on development of “Multi-domain Defence Force”, effective defence capability that enables cross-domain operations, organically fusing capabilities, in all domains by strengthening not only those in traditional domains like the land, sea and air and also see new domains, which are space, cyberspace and electromagnetic spectrum.

Third, Priorities in Strengthening Defence Capability was needed to secure their environment and focused on multiple sectors like strengthening capabilities necessary for Cross-Domain Operations, new domains of space, cyberspace and electromagnetic spectrum operations, traditional domains consisting of capabilities in maritime and air domains, stand-off defence capability, comprehensive air and missile defence capability, manoeuvre and deployment capability, promoting necessary measures for securing ammunition and fuel, ensuring maritime shipping lanes, and protecting important infrastructure, strengthening core elements comprising defence capability along with reinforcing the human resource base, technology base, and defence industrial base and reviewing equipment structure. These are extremely important as they help giving Japan a defence edge above others.

Fourth, the Organization of Self-Defence Forces (SDF) aimed at joint operations to realise Cross-Domain Operations, and the SDF has been successful in establishing new units in the domain of space, cyberspace and electromagnetic spectrum which would help further strengthen the position leading to air and missile defence capability and maintain a maritime transport unit as an integrated unit. Ground Self-Defence Force (GSDF) maintains the rapid deployable basic operational units aiming for advanced mobility, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities along with operating mobile units equipped with specialized functions, and they have the ability to deter and counter threats in case of invasion of remote islands and they will maintain the surface-to-ship guided missile units and hyper-velocity gliding projectile units also, for the remote islands defence. Maritime Self-Defence Force (MSDF) would maintain the reinforced destroyer units along with the new addition of the destroyers (FFM), minesweepers units, embarked patrol helicopter units and help organise the surface units. MSDF would also be establishing patrol ships to enable enhanced steady-state ISR in the waters around Japan, also conducting underwater ISR and engage with patrol and defence along with reinforcing submarine units and fixing wing patrol wings. Air Self-Defence Force (ASDF) would maintain the ground-based warning and control units so as to be capable of conducting sustained surveillance in the airspace around Japan, and they are required to conduct airborne warning, surveillance and control especially in the ‘gray zones’. The ASDF also maintain fighter aircraft units reinforced with high-performance fighter aircraft, aerial refuelling and transport units along with unmanned aerial vehicle units aimed for information collection in areas of remote existence from Japan and also persistently monitor airborne situations.

Figure 1: Defence Forces of Japan

Fifth, the significance of the U.S-Japan Security Arrangements as it makes the 60^th anniversary in 2020 and are constitute as a cornerstone for the national security of Japan. They aim to work together in various sectors of cooperation like “Cooperation in Space and Cyber Domains,” “Comprehensive Air and Missile Defence,” “Bilateral Training and Exercises,” “ISR Activities,” “Maritime Security,” “Logistics Support,” and “Cooperation in Response to a Large-Scale Disaster in Japan.” They have been working in close coordination especially keeping Chinese aggressiveness in mind, which is by default a major concern for the U.S. and Japan.

Sixth, Security Cooperation along with MOD’s Approach to the Vision of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” aimed to achieve stable use of the main sea lanes of Japan for defence cooperation and exchanges, avoiding any unexpected situation and further, contributing towards peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region with partner countries. There are three major pillars of the vision which consist of promotion and establishment of rule of law, freedom of navigation, free trade, economic prosperity, improving connectivity and commitment. They also aim for strategic promotion of multi-faceted and multi-layered defence cooperation under the bandwidth of the “Vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific” and also deal with proactive and strategic initiatives for capacity building.

Conclusion

The Defence White Paper 2020 clearly showcases the worry that Japan has from Chinese expansionist ways and policies. For any country, their territorial sovereignty and integrity is of foremost interest, and if the country is an island country with sea as its only way of communication, exchange of trade and commerce, it is bound feel uncomfortable and threatened. Japan feels the same and its interest is justified, as it has to deal with its immediate neighbour China. China, despite the deadly Coronavirus has continued to create havoc, territorial disputes and has tried to change the status quo in these disputes. It has also tried multiple ways to take control of vital spots, positions and areas of the Indo-Pacific region and that is also a major cause which this Defence White Paper highlighted. Japan has always been a peace loving nation aiming for a peaceful and rules-based Indo-Pacific arena for the international community and so, their Defence Policies are vital for the international relations.

Picture Courtesy-Raksha Mantri Office(RMO) ,India

Ms Gitanjali Sinha Roy is research assistant at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS),India.

(The views expressed are personal)

[i] The inputs in this entire article have been taken from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). Document titled “DEFENSE OF JAPAN 2020 (Annual White Paper)”. https://www.mod.go.jp/e/publ/w_paper/

(Accessed on 18 July 2020)